Republicans are not the only victims

Tom Cooper (Aug 25th) rightly points out the brutality associated with the Black and Tans.

However, his critique of the efforts of two retired gardai in organising a commemorative event in Glasnevin to mark the end of the RIC, etc, as carrying political ecumenism a step too far, requires comment.

There are many Irish citizens who have a British dimension to their Irishness and vice versa, and no doubt there are members of the gardai who may have family links with the Royal Irish Constabulary who feel it’s their duty to remember the fallen.

Is Mr Cooper to deny them that opportunity? Are republicans/nationalists to be recorded as the only victims of a conflict that has bedevilled the island for centuries?

Peter Mulvany

Clontarf

Dublin 3